In five of the past nine seasons, Syracuse has finished with a winning record in its final six games.

The Orange has not had a losing record in its last six games since the 2011-12 season when SU finished 1-5. To get a first-round bye in the College Hockey America tournament, Syracuse needs to continue that trend.

This season, Syracuse (12-18-2, 11-6-1 CHA) began its final six-game stretch by sweeping Rochester Institute of Technology by a combined two-game score of 13-1. The Orange is currently 3-1 in the first four of its final six games after splitting with Lindenwood last weekend. SU wants to continue its historical success down the stretch in arguably its most important series of the year this upcoming weekend against Robert Morris (18-7-4, 12-3-3), which sits at the top of the conference standings.

The Orange is fighting for a bye in the CHA playoffs but is currently looking up at Robert Morris and Mercyhurst in the standings. In order for SU to get the bye it seeks, the Orange must secure a Top 2 seeding. Syracuse trails Mercyhurst by two points and RMU by four. With each win equaling two points and two games remaining, the Orange can still earn a bye.

The Orange has reached the CHA final in each of Stephanie Grossi’s three previous seasons. Now a senior, Grossi said the final stretch of the season is “when the team comes together.”

After struggling offensively at some points this season, Grossi said the Orange’s execution on offense against RIT boosted confidence heading into the weekend of the season. Syracuse posted five goals in its most recent outing against Lindenwood.

“The energy on the bench has been electric,” Grossi said. “We need to bring that into the next series.”

SU junior defender Allie Munroe said the Orange “play with a little extra edge” by seasons end.

She said she believes confidence and chemistry as a collective unit will be key during the CHA tournament and the offensive explosion a week ago against RIT was a good start.

“We made a lot of nice plays, hopefully it will motivate everyone to score and keep passing the puck to get goals,” Munroe said. “Everyone on the ice was having fun.”

The series against RIT provided the Orange with more than just two wins, SU head coach Paul Flanagan said. Syracuse has failed to score a goal in eight games this season, but the Orange was able to net 13 against RIT on Feb. 9 and 10. Syracuse had three players — Ronnie Callahan, Allie Olnowich and Taylor Curtis — score their first career goals against the Tigers. Goalie Edith D’Astous-Moreau recorded her first career shutout.

“The kids built on the positivity on the bench,” Flanagan said.

The confidence the Orange picked up from its RIT wins is “contagious,” Flanagan said. It carried over somewhat into a split with Lindenwood on the road. Now, with just two conference games remaining, Flanagan knows what it takes to finish strong.

“Having kids feel good about themselves and not second guessing themselves,” Flanagan said.

Published on February 19, 2018 at 9:38 pm

Contact Anthony: amkhelil@syr.edu